Solar/lithium power dilemma: not enough bang for our bucks!

[medora]

Thanks folks. I do have a multimeter, it’s gotten plenty of use around the house. I just wasn’t sure where to test on panels etc so I’ll check the videos. I appreciate the links.

I did notice today that the Victron app has a setting for charging when you’re plugged in - I’ve never noticed this before because I’ve rarely looked at the app at home. It’s set to 30a - fine here as we have a dedicated circuit for the camper - but not with the Honda. Would this cause the long charge times? Meanwhile I’m still not sure why suddenly I’m getting no solar - I’ll look into this this morning.

 

[Ron in BC]

Meanwhile I’m still not sure why suddenly I’m getting no solar - I’ll look into this this morning.

That's definitely an area where the multi-meter can become your new best friend.

Good luck.

Ron

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

Thanks folks. I do have a multimeter, it’s gotten plenty of use around the house. I just wasn’t sure where to test on panels etc so I’ll check the videos. I appreciate the links.

I did notice today that the Victron app has a setting for charging when you’re plugged in - I’ve never noticed this before because I’ve rarely looked at the app at home. It’s set to 30a - fine here as we have a dedicated circuit for the camper - but not with the Honda. Would this cause the long charge times? Meanwhile I’m still not sure why suddenly I’m getting no solar - I’ll look into this this morning.

Is your WFCO or whatever power center lithium compatible ? Mine is a PD4655L, and any time I'm plugged into shore power, its charging the lithium batteries at 50 amps until they are nearly 100%, full charge on deeply discharged 412AH batteries takes something like 8-9 hours.

I wouldn't mess with the 'solar charging while plugged in', as 50A is the max charge rate I want my batts subjected to on a regular basis.

 

[Vic Harder]

Newbie here, but a mod on a sister forum.. and I'd like to add a few things to this solar thread.
- your Honda 2200 (2200Watts of AC) only puts out 100W (8.3A) when you take power from the DC outlet. That really is not much. You would be better off with a large inverter to take the AC and convert it to over 160A of DC...

- I'd gladly go over the Victron Apps with you if that would help. PM me if you are interested. That said, there are great videos online to help understand it.

- You could check (with your VOM) the input to the MPPT controller. That's coming from your solar array. If you have voltage there, (which I suspect you don't - if you do it should read over 15V with your panels in parallel. If not juice there, then back up towards the panels, if there are other exposed connections. If not, then disconnect the panels (if you have a switch, otherwise cover the panels to stop power output and disconnect them) and when the panel is in the sun, measure the output at the MC4 connectors. Again, should be well over 15V (do you have the specs for your panels? That will tell you the open circuit voltage, which is what you are measuring here.

I hope that helps.